Schematic representation of the possible crosstalk occurring between Nitric Oxide (NO) and Retinoic Acid (RA) during chordate development. NO is represented by a yellow circle, RA by a green star, the ratio between NO and RA by a scale symbol. The decrease of NO and the increase of RA, Aldh1a and Nos, are indicated by different sizes of symbols relative to the normal state. Arrows represent enzymatic processes, while discontinuous arrows correspond to transcriptional regulation. Question marks indicate that it is not known exactly how NO regulates Aldh1a.2 transcription and RA regulates Nos transcription. The cross over the arrow between Nos and NO illustrates the inactivation of Nos.